Embracing ‘slow’ furniture and quintessential Australian design with local brand, Kett

The core principle of the Slow furniture Movement is the deliberate crafting methods and use of long-lasting furniture within our homes. This approach values quality and durability over speed and convenience, serving as a countermeasure to the widespread production of disposable, quickly made or ‘fast’ furniture. Consumers recognising this need to move away from disposable furniture are embracing more sustainable options that offer the long-term value of quality made. The concept behind Kett was to create quality furniture that was designed and crafted locally in Melbourne, backed by the Cosh Living team, who possessed a decade of experience in high-end furniture.

Kett has been working with local manufacturers in Melbourne since 2015 to create their sustainable and modern pieces that embody our relaxed Australian lifestyle. The extensive collection can be described as laidback comfort in natural tones designed for a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. The result is a collection of pieces that possess a timeless aesthetic with an emphasis on lasting quality, ensuring that Kett furniture stands the test of time, offering longevity and a distinct appeal.

The pieces within the collections have a warm, minimalist feel to them, rooted in a principle Kett’s Head Designer, Justin Hutchinson, calls “reductionist".

“Starting out with initial sketches, always removing, paring back, trying to build out the clarity in the piece. Sometimes that happens quickly, sometimes, it takes a while,” Justin explains. “Reduction, honesty, and truth to the material are key. I think there's nothing better than celebrating beautiful materials. That honesty is what shines through, what people respond to.”

Kett's indoor and outdoor collections draw inspiration from Australia's Victorian Coastline, with each collection named after a specific place along the coast, such as Cape Otway, Point Addis, Johanna Beach and Wye River – places that Justin visits regularly. “Place is not just a location, but rather an entity with ambiguous boundaries. The act of drawing up ‘place’ to inform the collection allows us to bring the outdoors inside. From ‘place’, we gain a sense of the importance of colours, shapes and form,” says Justin.

“In a world crowded by poorly made things; it is a pleasure and a privilege to spend each day working on products that are designed to last," remarks Justin.

Drawing inspiration from our natural landscapes and cosmopolitan cities, Kett celebrates the Australian way of life. “Our collections, all the way down to the curated fabric selections, tell a story of a place close to home,” says Justin.  

Learn more about the brand and view the collections at Kett Furniture.

Words by Casey Arden.